The 25th Meeting of Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States Responsible for Foreign Economic and Trade Activities was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on September 17, 2026. The meeting reviewed ongoing economic and trade cooperation among SCO member states and discussed measures to deepen trade and economic cooperation within the SCO framework.
India, represented by Shri Yashvir Singh, highlighted the significant economic potential of the SCO and emphasized the need to translate this potential into tangible outcomes through increased intra-SCO trade, lower trade costs, resilient supply chains, and enhanced connectivity. India articulated three pillars of 'Security, Connectivity and Opportunity' based on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision from the SCO Summit in Bishkek, emphasizing their economic significance in strengthening supply-chain resilience, developing efficient and trusted connectivity, and expanding business opportunities through greater market access.
India specifically emphasized the important role of trade facilitation and digitalization in reducing trade costs and time, calling for simplified customs procedures, paperless trade, electronic exchange of documents, stronger multimodal connectivity, and reduced transit times. The country also called for greater cooperation among SCO Member States to diversify and strengthen supply chains in strategic and emerging sectors including agriculture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and electronics. Enhanced cooperation in energy security, renewable energy, and green hydrogen was also highlighted.
Recognizing the importance of enabling smaller businesses, India underscored the role of digital payments, cross-border payments, and accessible trade finance for MSMEs and start-ups. India reiterated its commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.
The meeting resulted in several key outcomes: Ministers adopted the 'Statement of the Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States Responsible for Foreign Economic and Foreign Trade Activity,' agreed on the 'Action Plan for 2026–2030 for the Implementation of the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States' for further approval by the Council of Heads of Government, and approved the 'Regulations on the Special Working Group of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on the Development of the Creative Economy.'
Ministers noted information provided by the SCO Business Council regarding its activities and by the Tajik side on the work of the SCO Consortium of Economic Analytical Centres. The next Ministerial Meeting will be held in 2027 in the Republic of Uzbekistan.